Lil'Devil Turns 14

He crawls on hands and knees, quietly casing the room. The door closes behind him, left just ajar...just in case. Slowly, he stalks the crib, knowing what lies inside. The smell, the softness, the lull of each baby breath lures him nearer. A plush stuffed elephant catches his eyes. The gray color is just as he remembers it, one ear flapping over. Reaching for it, he flicks the trunk and grunts, irritated. It's all too familiar. He presses on.

The wood of the crib is solid. A stable place for a babe to lay her head...one would think. His stubby fingers cling to one post. He pulls himself to stand just enough to see the snuggled image before him. The wave off his eyelashes is faint, but his blue eyes sparkle, deviously ready to strike. His thick lips pull into a grin. His tongue rolls out like a shade, draping over his bottom lip. He sputters. Saliva pools in his mouth. Speckles of spit pepper his cheeks and outstretched arm. Excited, he accidentally shakes the crib. The teeny lump under the blanket stirs. He squawks. And to his delight, the baby cries.

Out of nowhere, long slender fingers attached to strong hands lift him off the carpet. His chubby legs dangle in midair, the scintillating blue of his eyes now fading to a pale fear as they peer into the unexpected abyss of Mommy's big, scary, and angry blue eyes.

Oops, she caught me waking up baby sissy, Kate. Crud, Jake thinks as Mommy's lips flutter up and down, saying words he doesn't understand...but he just heard earlier this morning.

Did I get'chya???

Summer '10

We celebrated child #2's 14th Birthday yesterday. It's still amazing to me that he's grown so old. He came into this world at 2:02 in the morning like a lion and has never stopped roaring. He's full of life and ambition, and has a loyal heart just like his dad. As much as he's tested me, he's made me laugh...and made me proud.

So here's a flashback of my devious little boy.

Can U C it in his eyes?

Big brother Josh giving advice, "Mom said
'No touch, Jakie.'"

Caught again...

OH, yes, she see's me...I'm
touching it anyway.

Does she see me?

Did mommy say to stop jumping
on this book that makes noise or 
jump more?? I'll go for more...

IT's hard to make his b-day special. 
Always feels like we rush it, being six
days before Christmas.


I wanted him to know that every moment
he's given us has been noticed, and yes...
ARCHIVED! *Mom winks, thinking of
senior video material in five years because
he's given Mom plenty.*

HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY to my Magical, Mystical, Mischievous boy who lights up everyday with his grin cocked to the side, his challenging glares, and his teasing taunts. Oh yeah, and thanks for all my gray hairs!

Love Mom.

So tell me. Do any of you have children or close relations with birthdays close to a holiday? How do you manage to make it special?